Dispensing device



NOV.. 9, 1937. WELSH 2,098,477

DISPENSING DEVICE Filed Sept. 7, 1935 2 Shets-Sheet l Vw, MM/ 1 ATTOENEYJ Nov. 9, 1937. J, WELSH 2,098,477

wIsPENsafNG DEVICE Filed 5915i. 7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2- fm erdor JH/v WELSH Patented Nov. 9, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in dispensing devices, and more particularly to a holder for dispensing paper towels, napkins, toilet paper, and various other articles,

which may be dispensed from a package.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive dispensing device which readily lends itself for use to dispense paper 1 towels, and the like, which may be sold to the li? public, loaded with towels, and ready for use, each unit comprising a dispensing holder in which the towels are originally packed, and from whichthey may be dispensed, one at a time, un-

I til the last towel has been used, after which the 15 empty holder may be discarded and a fresh holder and supply of towels substituted therefor.

A further object is to provide a towel dispensing device which presents the utmost in simplicity, sanitation, and convenience, in that 20 the towels are dispensed-directly from the container or holder in which they are sold, and which holder is so constructed that it may read-- il y suspended from a hook, or any other suitable-supporting means, without the attendant 5 having to actually touch the towels with his hands, the cost of the holder being such that it may be thrown away or discarded, when emptied, and a new unit, including holder and towels, substituted therefor.

Other objects of the invention reside in the specific construction of the holder, whereby a package of papertowels may be supported thereand dispensed therefrom, said holder having means therein for retaining the package of '35 paper towels in proper position until the last towel has been dispensed; in the novel manner of constructing the holder, whereby it may be manufactured at small cost; in the provision of corrugated means within the holder for retaining thetowels-or other sheet material in place therein; in-the general construction of the holder and arrangement of the towels therein, whereby 'the holder and towels cooperate to provide a com- 7 plete unit which may be sold to the public; ready &6 for immediate use, and which provides a very neat and practical dispensing devicefrom which the towels may be conveniently dispensed, one at a time: and, in the simple and inexpensive construction of the holder itself, which is made 50 from a blank of sheet material folded to provide *a suitable holder, and the ends of which blank are secured together in spaced relation by suitable 'U-sha'ped elements, whereby a dispensing opening is provided between said ends through t55v which thetowels are dispensed.

objects" of the invention will appear from the following description and accompanylng drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings there has been disclosed a structure designed tocarry out the various objects of the invention, but it is to be understood that the invention is not confined to the exact features shown as various changes may be made within the scope of the claims which follow.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the novel manner of packaging the towels, whereby they are contained within the holder from which the towels may readily be dispensed, one at a time; c

Figure 2 is an enlarged end view of the device showing the means provided within the holder for retaining the towels in position therein;

Figure 3 is an exterior view of the holder showing the dispensing opening therein;

Figure 4 is a view showing the holder with its ends detached from one another and opened up as a flat sheet;

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view on the line 5 5 of Figure 4, showing a means by which the holder may be suspended from a suitable nail or hook secured in a wall; and

Figure 6 is a view showing a modified construction wherein the holder is rectangular in configuration.

The novel dispensing package herein disclosed, is shown comprising a holder, generally indicatedby the numeral I, which is formed from a blank 2 of sheet material, such as heavy paper or cardboard, having its opposite end portions folded inwardly to provide loops 3 and 4 adapted to receive suitable staples or U-shaped elements 5, each of which is shown provided with a long leg 6 and a relatively shorter leg 1. These legs are adapted to be inserted into the loops 3 and ,4, as shown in Figure 2, thereby to secure the ends of the blank 2 together in spaced relation, whereby a suitable dispensing opening 8 is, provided in the holder l. The inwardly folded end portions of the blank 2 may be secured in position againstthe body of the blank by any suitable means applicable for the purpose, and in the present instance, I have shown them secured by-small wire staples or fasteners [6.

A suitable wire element 9 is shown having its terminals ll projecting through a suitable aperture provided in a wall of the holder l, as shown in Figure 5. The terminals H of the element 9 are bent into contact with the wall of the holder whereby the element 9 cannot readily become detached from the holder, as will readily be understood by reference to Figures 4 and 5. The

element 9 provides a loop, whereby the holder may readily be suspended from a hook or nail -l 2- provided in a wall l3, as "best shown in Figure 2.

The marginal edges I4 and I5 of the ends 3 and 4 of the blank 2, are bent inwardly substantially holder through the dispensing opening, as shown,

for example, in Figure 2.

Strips of corrugated material l8, preferably ofpaper, are secured to the inner face of the blank 2, as best shown in Figure 4, whereby when the blank is folded into the cylindrical form shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ends of the towels will engage the corrugations of said strips, whereby the towels are positively retained in proper position within the holder, even until the last towel has been dispensed therefrom. Figure 2 clearly illustrates how the ends of the towels are seated in the corrugations of the strips Hi.

In Figure 6, there is illustrated a slightly modified construction wherein the container is made rectangular in configuration, and has a dispensing opening 20 in one of its walls, through which the towels 2| may be dispensed in substantially the same manner as shown and described in the previous figures. In the form shown in Figure 6, the side edges of the dispensing opening 20 are defined by the edges of the walls 22 and 23, and suitable U-shaped elements 24 are inserted through loops 25 in the edges of said walls, thereby to reinforce these edges and retain them in proper spaced relation.

The ends of the U-shaped elements 24 are shaped as shown in Figure 6, whereby they project inwardlynover the open ends of the holder, thereby to prevent endwise movement of the towels in the holder. If desired, the U-shaped elements 5, shown in Figure 5, may be similarly shaped. V

The holder illustrated in Figure 6 is shown provided with a tongue 26 having an opening 21. therein adapted to receive a hook or nail I2, as shown, for example, in Figure .2, whereby the holder may be conveniently supported on a wall. In the form of holder shown in Figure 6, the package of towels or other sheet paper to be dispensed, is placed in the holder with its sheets disposed in flatwise relation, whereas, in the holder l the towels conform to the curvature of the wall of the holder, as clearly illustrated in Figure 2.

The device herein disclosed, provides the utmost in simplicity and is economical to manufacture, whereby the container may be discarded when the last towel has been used. The device readily lends itself for use in public places, such as schools, hotels, and wash rooms, and provides a very simple and inexpensive towel dispensing device. The holder is preferably supplied to the user in the form shown in Figure 1, whereby the towels need not be handled, which is desirable from a sanitary point of view.

In the foregoing, I have referred more particularly to. a device for dispensing paper towels, but it is to be understood that by slightly modifying the size of the device, it may readily be used for dispensing various other articles in sheet form as, for example, paper napkins and toilet paper, without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a. device of the class described, a blank of sheet material having its opposite marginal edges folded around a package of sheet paper with its looped ends spaced apart to provide a dispensing opening, and wire elements insertable in said loops, thereby to secure together said ends in spaced relation. I

2. In a device of the class described, a blank of sheet material having its opposite marginal edges folded upon itself and secured in place to provide suitable loops, said blank being adapted to be folded around a package of sheet paper, and means inserted in said loops to retain the ends of said blank in spaced relation, whereby a dispensing opening is provided therebetween through which the sheets may be dispensed, one at a time.

3. In a device of the class described, a blankof sheet material having its opposite marginal edges folded upon itself and secured in place to provide suitable loops, said blank being adapted to. be folded around a, package of sheet paper with its loopedv ends spaced apart to provide a dispensing opening, and U-shaped elements having legs inserted in said loops, thereby to secure said spaced ends in position and whereby said blank of material provides a dispensing holder for the sheet p 4. In a device of the class described, a blank of sheet material folded around a package of paper towels with its ends. spaced apart to provide a dispensing opening for the towels, wire elements securing together said spaced ends and cooperating with said folded blank to provide a holder for the towels, and said wire elements having'offset portions engaging the towels at the open ends of the holder, thereby to retain them therein.

5. In a device of the class described, a blank of sheet material folded around a package of paper towels with its ends spaced apart to provide a dispensing opening for the towels, means for securing together said spaced ends andcooperating with said folded blank to provide a holder for the towels, and corrugated means adjacent the open ends of the holder for retaining the towels in proper position therein.

6. In a device of the class described, a holder comprising a body formed of sheet material, U-shaped elements connecting together the ends of said sheet material in spaced relation whereby a dispensing opening is provided between said ends, said holder being adapted to support a package of paper towels, inwardly projecting corrugations at the ends of the holder adapted to be en gaged by the towels, whereby they are retained in proper position within the holder, andmeans by which the holder may be suspended from a wall to facilitate withdrawing the towels therefrom.

7. As an article of manufacture, a cylindrical holder having means for supporting it ona Wal a plurality of paper towels supported in the holder, corrugated means at the ends of the holder for retaining the towels inposition therein, and said holder having a dispensing opening through which the'towels may be dispensed, one at a time.

8. As an article of manufacture, a paper holder having a, plurality of paper towels therein, a flexible corrugated strip adjacent each end of. the holder for retaining the towels in position therein, said holder having a dispensing opening through which the towels may be dispensed from the holder, one at time.

John 1 provided with suitable loops, said blank being 

